Description This species is named after the deep slit running down the face, from
a central point between the eyes down to the nostrils. This is, in fact, part of
the nose leaf, which the hollow-faced bat needs for echolocation. Folds of skin
extend from either side of the slit to direct echolocation calls with great
accuracy, leaving little space for the minute eyes. The ears are brown and
particularly long, with a short, rounded tragus (inner ear). The tail is
commonly equal in length to the head and body, and is enclosed in a membrane
that stretches between the hind legs (the interfemoral membrane). A tiny
triangular cut in the membrane where the tail reaches the edge helps to identify
the species. The hollow-faced bat is very furry, with a greyish-brown back,
paler underside, and even brown fur on the forearms. The wings are very broad
and short, with a large area of membrane above the forearm (known as the
propatagium). This gives the bat great agility, but reduces its flight speed.

Although this insect-eating species is capable of complex echolocation calls
involving a rapid, low intensity sweep of the frequency range, it is also
thought to hunt simply by listening for sounds made by the insects themselves.
Its large wing area and comparatively low body weight allows it to take off
nearly vertically from the forest floor when hunting, possibly with heavy prey .
It tends to hover over its prey before snatching it up into the air . There are
thought to be two breeding seasons per year, with females giving birth to a
single pup. At first the pup is carried in foraging flights, which may well
limit the diet of the hollow-faced bat, as it can only take lighter prey. The
pup learns quickly to fly and forage alone, and at one year old will be sexually
mature .It has been collected from primary Dipterocarp forest and peat swamp
forest (I. Maryanto pers. comm.). It roosts in small groups in fallen tree
hollows and similar man-made hollows such as culverts as well as crevices of
large boulders and in limestone caves.
Systems: Terrestrial

Major Threat(s):

The major threat for this species is habitat loss due to
deforestation for logging, plantations, agriculture, as well forest fire.